With the growing number of medical issues surrounding the current health care system, people are becoming increasingly frustrated with treatment results and the expense of maintaining personal health. Are you concerned about or wondering if it’s possible to naturally treat health issues without killing yourself? A growing number of people are turning to alternative medicine and natural health care and doing so very successfully. Natural, everyday, common sense methods of preventing illness and maintaining optimal health do exist.

What does your body need to maintain proper health?

This is a question that continues to be asked, why, I don’t know, because there are no hidden secrets about this. In fact I’m sure you probably already know the answer.

o Proper diet

It is known that many health problems (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and others) are exasperated by improper and poor diets. We live in a fast paced world driven by extreme commercialism that bombards us with images of super sized hamburgers, fries and extra large sodas. Many of our foods come in boxes loaded with artificial ingredients and real, un-natural, man-made chemicals to help us exist in our fast paced life. The first thing we need to do in maintaining our health is to get back to a healthy natural food based diet.

o Moderate exercise

Sitting on the couch watching TV or driving the car to the mailbox is not moderate exercise. Walking, bicycling, swimming, tennis, hiking, gymnastics, dancing and weight training are forms of exercise that we need in our daily lives. Achieving 30 minutes of some form of cardiovascular activity several times a week has a huge payback in maintenance of health, appearance, and well being.

o Excess avoidance (drugs, alcohol, fast food, smoking)

There is no mistake that excessive use of drugs, alcohol, fast food and smoking have a detrimental effect on health. If you are using any of these substances in excess you can expect to live a much shorter and unhealthier life. Even if you use these substances in moderation you may experience a shorter and unhealthier life.

o Good genetics

Now here’s something you cannot control. We’ve all heard of the guy that smoked 2 packs of cigarettes’ a day until he was 92 then got stepped on by an elephant while dancing with his 38 year old girl friend. There are those that are fortunate to be born to parents and grandparents that took care of their health. Then there are those that are born to parents/grandparents that did not enjoy healthy lifestyles. And let’s face it; Mother Nature can be quite cruel at times as well. No matter what the case, your life and health can be improved by proper diet, exercise, and excess avoidance.

Other methods and forms of natural health care

While the things mentioned above are fundamentals of natural health care, there are other methods and forms of natural treatment and care that complement healthy living. We know that even healthy people are going to become ill with common ailments and diseases from time to time. However there are things that can be done to minimize the effects and duration of the inevitable cold, flu, pain, rash, and other common ailments or diseases that are sure to come from time to time.

Herbs and vitamins

Many natural herbs and vitamins can be obtained from health stores that strengthen our natural immunity to health issues. If you are experiencing a particular health issue, a trip to the health store should be considered, there will be a supplement that can help you overcome your health issue.

Holistic Medicine

Holistic medicine focuses on how the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements of the body are interconnected to maintain wellness (holistic health). When one part of the body or mind is not working properly, it is believed to affect the whole person. Holistic approaches focus on the whole person rather than just on the illness or part of the body that is not healthy. There are many holistic practitioners available to help you with your health and well being.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of healing that dates back thousands of years. At the core of TCM is the notion that a type of life force, or energy, known as qi (pronounced “chee”) flows through energy pathways (meridians) in the body. Each meridian corresponds to one organ, or group of organs, that governs particular bodily functions. Achieving the proper flow of qi is thought to create health and wellness. Many ailments and health problems are treated with acupuncture by inserting a set of tiny needles at points along the meridians.

For those that cannot tolerate the thought of needles poking their skin, there is a form of needless acupuncture available. Check out the resource box below to get more information.

Acupressure

Acupressure is often called acupuncture without the needles. Instead of needles, acupressure involves the application of manual pressure (usually with the fingertips) to specific points on the body. Acupressure is typically used for:

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy/ morning sickness
Motion sickness
Nausea after surgery
Nausea due to chemotherapy
Cancer-related fatigue
Headache
Menstrual cramps
Muscle tension and pain
Magnetic Health Care
Magnetics have been around for several hundred years and has found a place in natural health care. There are many products available using static magnetic fields that offer relief of pain and reduction or elimination of many health ailments. One of the most common type of magnetic health care products is the magnetic bracelet. There are other products that emit electromagnetic pulses that have greater potential of providing natural health care treatment than products offering a single static magnetic field.

Chiropractic Health care

Believe it or not Chiropractic health care is a form of natural alternative health care. Chiropractic health care is based upon the fact that all organ, tissue, and gland functions are controlled via nervous system input starting from signals in the brain cascading downward via the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. On some occasions, the spinal bones (vertebra) which protectively surround the spinal cord can misalign or subluxate creating increased pressure upon the nerve roots that pass between the vertebrae. This increased pressure strangles or pinches the nerve roots, thus decreasing the impulses to the end organs. Prolonged pressure upon these nerves causes disease states to develop, whether it be muscular or internal. Spinal adjustments are high speed, low force procedures that restore the spinal bones into their correct alignment, thus relieving stress upon the spinal nerves. Once the stress has been relieved upon the nerves, the body can naturally be restored to 100% of its healing capacity.

There has been a real shift in the way people think about their health. Rising health care costs as well as inherent risks that come with medical treatments and pharmaceutical drugs is becoming a legitimate concern. You can take charge and responsibility of your own health care and live a long and healthy life. Of course there will be times when a doctor is needed for your health care, but with self administered natural health care those times can be minimized. To your health!

The Department of Health says that 60% of Americans are overweight, 30% of all kids are either overweight or at risk, 85% of the population does not consume the recommended minimum of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Our lives are longer but the days seem shorter – and weight / diet related ailments from Type 2 diabetes to high blood pressure and cholesterol are epidemic. The number one reason for doctor’s visits? Fatigue. Is it any wonder we have a so-called health care crisis! How can you and I pull away from this? A simple, low cost program of complex carbohydrates and lean protein, with a little bit of exercise. Given our lifestyles the best way to achieve this is with a mix of meal replacement shakes, nutritional supplements, healthy meals and snacks. And the occasional walk around the block. In previous articles I have addressed weight loss myths, what the body needs nutritionally, and meal replacement programs. In this article, the focus will be on nutritional supplements – what they are and how incredibly important they are to balanced nutritional program.

What are they? When our mothers told us to eat our fruits and vegetables, they were right. They are an essential part of our diet, providing a wide range of vitamins and minerals that serve an array of important functions in the body. The U.S. Department of Health recommends eating at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Yet, only one in seven or less than 15% achieve this quota. In fact, one-third of American adults eat only two servings of fruits and vegetables a day and are four times more likely to choose a processed snack instead. On any given day, about half the population eats no fruit at all. Supplements can bridge this gap. Supplements are not a remedy; cannot cure or treat any disease or ailment – I simply don’t understand where this fiction comes from. They “supplement” and round out your diet. In conjunction with a balanced health program you can find a major change in your entire body from weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, erectile dysfunction, energy – the list goes on. Supplements are classified as food, not drugs. You eat them just you would a carrot. As food they are varied in type, purpose, quality, etc. – that’s why it’s always good to deal with a personal wellness coach as part of your program. There’s a saying in the supplement business – pills are for sick people and tablets are for well people. If they’re so great – why isn’t everybody on them? Mainly because doctors and the health care system don’t make money off supplements – they make money off tests and drugs. Literally the healthcare is not designed for prevention – their business is built on the concept of treatment. Other than the generic multivitamin they try to remain mum. Hope that doesn’t surprise or shock anyone – it’s not their job to prevent – that’s your job.

Regulation This is a question that comes up often and appears to be but of a mystery. Two reasons I think – one, because many supplements come in tablet form. Two, misunderstanding of the legal use of the word “approved”. Supplements are regulated by the FDA in the same way that any food is regulated. Supplements are not drugs – they do not claim to cure or treat – by law they cannot. One of the FDAs mission is to “approve” drugs for sale – it does not approve food within the legal use of the word. In real life does the word apply to supplements and other food the way regular people use it – yes. The laws that govern food are the mega dosing law and labeling law.
The Mega Dosing law prohibits a manufacturer from putting too much of any one ingredient in a product. It is complemented by Labeling laws – so if a person has a condition that would prevent them from using the product, this must be indicated on the label. Within each of these laws are standards and definitions that provide practical instructions for manufacturer compliance whether it’s broccoli or herbal tea.

Quality Although Supplements are food, just like any other product there are major variations in quality. Whether it’s leather, furniture or hot house tomato vs. home vine grown – there are quality differences. Most of the supplements you buy at grocery stores are consumer grade products and what you see on the label is not always what’s in the container – when it says 100% — it can have as little as 30+% in that one tablet as still meet the requirement as long it meets other requirements. This is similar to other food grading systems – juice vs drink, cheese, cheese food, processed cheese, etc. The next big quality level is pharmaceutical grade or a quality level that says 98% of it says on the label is in each tablet. This is what you want to look for when you want to get supplements. These are normally found at nutritional specialty stores or direct marketing companies like Herbalife. Core Supplements for weight loss We eat food for fuel. When we burn it for energy to run our bodies, the process creates heat. Nutritional supplements products assist the body’s engine to burn fuel efficiently, helping our metabolism stay revved and functioning well. At the core of a long term successful program you need a minimum of three things:

Meal replacement shake – nutritionally balanced for carb, protein and vitamin and mineral needs – this is the simplest, most flexible and lowest per meal cost way to los
A pharmaceutical grade multivitamin taken 3 times a da
A supplement for activating the cells in digestive system to aid in nutrient absorption
How to use the Core supplements You should take the meal replacement shake 2 times a day to reduce weight but it is important to take your supplements 3 times a day. Why? Throughout the day your body undergoes stresses that rob it of vital vitamins and minerals. By taking the multivitamin 3 times a day – you are constantly replenishing your system and your energy levels stay up, mood swings are milder, etc. A consumer grade vitamin you take in the morning with breakfast – you go the bathroom and away goes the multivitamin. Second, in our digestive system are these little tentacles called villi – these guys wave around and as food passes by it collects there and the body absorbs the nutrition. The first thing you notice is that not all food gets caught so if it doesn’t get caught it becomes fat or we eliminate it. The second thing is that with the typical American diet, over time the villi become flattened and less able to absorb nutrition. With certain supplements along with the meal replacement shake you wake the villi back up and they absorb the targeted nutrition more effectively. How fast depends entirely on the existing state of the digestive system but if you drink or smoke, etc. it will take longer because they are more clogged.
Antioxidant Enhancers There’s a lot of talk about antioxidants in products. Why? Antioxidants protect our bodies from free radicals that can cause damage to cellular membranes. Antioxidants also boost our immunity, help make our muscles stronger and support bone and skin health. All existing research and common sense supports the notion that healthy aging and antioxidants go hand in hand. Since eating the recommended daily servings of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables is not always realistic, using supplements to help out only makes sense. Start today and get yourself on a good nutritional program you can stick with. So get in the habit of eating plenty of produce each day. Your mom was right – it’s one of the biggest favors you can do for your body.

We have two sides of a debate: One says the mental health drugs are the only option and the other says the drugs cause mental health problems.

The drugs’ side gives lots of false information to the public.

The other side gives lots of facts to disprove the falsities.

Yet, the public, largely, goes for the drugs’ side. Despite the facts that show there is no basis in science for the use of the drugs and despite the facts that show the financial incentives for why people are being given drugs they don’t need, the public goes for the “experts”.

There is even a test to evidence how poor someone will metabolize the drug and yet the drugs’ side is using that test to apparently adjust the drug dose or choice of drug so the person “has the best chance they can get”.

When in reality the most important facts are that it is normal to experience anxiety, sadness, grief and an entire list of emotions in response to life’s stresses. Additionally, if one wants to introduce science and medical evidence to the list of options, there are medical ailments that cause mental health problems and those ailments can be tested for and can be treated with non-mental health treatments that effectively cure the person of the cause for those symptoms and behaviors.

Why dose a drug; why test to see the metabolic rate for a drug that is not medically needed; why not simply find the medical ailment and cure it. Why live a life of mental health drugs and adverse consequences?

The subject of drugs (pharma) and genetics (the study of inherited characteristics) is called “Pharacogenomics”.

Pharmacogenomics looks at how specific genetic characteristics influence medication response. The medical community has had a medical test, for years, which can evidence the inability of a person’s body, to assimilate and utilize a drug.

Individual differences in drug metabolism are due to differences in the activity of enzymes (electron transfer agents in metabolic pathways) that metabolize the majority of drugs.

The enzymes are affected by and will produce varying behaviors by over 50 different genes and these genes and the varying behaviors have been studied and evidenced by medical science, yet the public is not made aware that this test exists. This includes testing for drugs that are prescribed for physical ailments as well as mental health symptoms

In addition to the 50 different genes that affect whether someone can utilize the drug, without having adverse reactions and potentially fatal consequences, there are a group of enzymes that have several different versions of each enzyme due to one’s genetic make-up. There are, also, proteins, within the body that play a role in whether the body can break down and assimilate a drug or whether the drug will simply act as a toxin. This adds up to a lot of variables that determine whether an individual can predict that they are likely to experience the FDA adverse effect warnings of mania, psychosis, hallucinations, sudden death, paranoia, delusions, suicidal thoughts and homicidal thoughts and more.

The absorption, distribution, metabolism or elimination of the drug is all influenced by hereditary factors.

In summation, genetic variants can occur at any step in the drug metabolism pathway, in both the genes that make receptor proteins and the genes that make various drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Aloe Vera is a commonly found plant, this is not any ordinary plant, but it is loaded with exceptional medicinal qualities. The fleshy leaves of this plant contain pulp, which is rich in nutrients and fibers, which are helpful for the body. The regular intake of the Aloe Vera heals the body both internally as well as externally, due to its exceptional qualities this plant was regarded as the �Plant of Immorality’ by the Egyptians. The Best Aloe Vera Juice can give you surprising health benefits. It can heal old diseases and can prevent you from the new ones. It increases immunity and is does wonders for a diabetic patient, it makes skin smooth as well as prevents hair fall so its advantages are just numerous.

Richness of the Aloe Vera

The plant is certainly full of rich ingredients the Aloe Vera juice is rich in antibiotic, antioxidants, helps too removes scars and pain and also stimulates cell growth. This is a rich source of all nutrients and is a remedy to lot of problems. Aloe Vera can also be used as an energy drink and can give instant energy to anyone who has deficiency of minerals and vitamins. The Aloe Vera juice can also relieve you from minor infections and chronic pain. Some of the minerals found in the Aloe Vera are Calcium, Sodium, Iron, Potassium, Manganese, Zinc, Folic acid, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and Amino acids. All this together work towards strengthening the body of the user.

Lose Weight Naturally with the Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera juice weight loss can be done effectively and naturally, the anti-oxidants present in its juice help you lose weight quickly by slowing down the growth of free radicals. Aloe Vera juice is also known to increase the metabolism of the body thus reducing the Body Mass Index (BMI) this turns the fats and carbohydrates into energy. This juice also helps in the production of collagen, the protein that leads to development of muscles. Collagen also leads to speeding up metabolism and it makes sure that the food is stored in the lower intestine just for short period of time. The richness of minerals and proteins present in this juice helps to burn calories and reduce the body fat.

Use Aloe Vera to Cure Different Ailments

Aloe Vera Juice with fiber benefits and it can be consumed readily. It can be taken in combination with various things like lemons, strawberries, cucumber, green tea, pineapple, ginger etc. This is a powerful moisturizer and it heals scars and marks and also relieves pain. Aloe Vera Juice being natural laxative forces out food of the colon faster, it prevents constipation, improves digestion, and detoxifies the body. It also produces insulin in the body, controls the blood sugar level, and promotes gradual absorption of sugar.